EKSU Admission Costs Raise Questions About Affordability of Public Universities

EKSU school fees for 2026/2027 range from ₦247,500 to ₦1.13 million before additional charges. See the fee breakdown for fresh students.

For many Nigerian families, securing university admission is supposed to mark the beginning of an academic dream. At Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, however, the financial requirements facing newly admitted students for the 2026/2027 academic session raise a difficult question: how affordable is public university education becoming for ordinary Nigerian households?

An examination of the published fee schedule for 100-level and Direct Entry students shows that the cost of schooling varies significantly across programmes, with Medicine and Surgery attracting the highest listed charges at ₦982,500 for residents and ₦1,132,500 for non-residents. The figures exclude the additional acceptance fee and other separately listed charges.

The schedule, which has circulated through education-information platforms, places the university’s fees under renewed scrutiny, particularly regarding the financial burden on families already struggling with rising living costs. Although the university is state-owned, the published figures show that the amount required to begin a degree programme can reach seven figures before students account for accommodation, feeding, transportation, textbooks and other personal expenses.

Medicine, Pharmacy, Law Lead the Fee Rankings

The findings show that Medicine and Surgery is the most expensive programme on the supplied schedule. Resident students are expected to pay ₦982,500, while non-residents face ₦1,132,500.

Pharmacy follows at ₦800,000 for residents and ₦900,000 for non-residents. Law, Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science each attract ₦607,500 for residents and ₦757,500 for non-residents.

Anatomy and Physiology students face charges of ₦532,500 for residents and ₦607,000 for non-residents, according to the supplied figures.

These amounts place substantial financial demands on families seeking admission into professional and health-related programmes. For a household supporting more than one child in tertiary education, meeting such obligations could require considerable financial planning, savings or external assistance.

Education Students Face Lower Fees, but the Financial Burden Remains

The schedule shows a different pattern for education-related programmes. Education courses classified under the general category attract ₦247,500 for residents and ₦322,500 for non-residents, while specified programmes, including sciences, geography, French, vocational technology, human kinetics and health education, are listed at ₦262,500 and ₦322,500, respectively.

Arts programmes classified under French and Theatre and Media Arts attract ₦330,000 for residents and ₦405,000 for non-residents. Other Arts programmes are listed at ₦307,500 and ₦382,500.

Agricultural Sciences programmes attract ₦357,500 for residents and ₦457,500 for non-residents. Engineering students face ₦405,500 for residents and ₦502,500 for non-residents, while Management Sciences students are listed at ₦307,500 and ₦382,500, respectively.

The disparities show that the financial requirements differ considerably according to programme. However, even the lowest listed resident fee of ₦247,500 represents only the beginning of the financial commitment required to complete a university education.

Acceptance Fees and Other Charges Push the Initial Cost Higher

The investigation also examined additional charges listed separately from the main school fees.

According to the supplied schedule, newly admitted students in Law, Nursing, Anatomy, Physiology, Surgery and Medicine are required to pay an acceptance fee of ₦112,000. Students in other programmes are listed as paying ₦62,000.

In addition, the schedule lists a faculty due of ₦15,000 and a Smart School charge of ₦20,000 for all faculties and programmes.

When these additional charges are combined with the main school fees, the initial financial commitment rises further.

For example, a resident student admitted to Medicine and Surgery would face a combined total of ₦1,129,500 when the listed school fee of ₦982,500, acceptance fee of ₦112,000, faculty due of ₦15,000 and Smart School charge of ₦20,000 are added together.

For a non-resident Medicine and Surgery student, the corresponding total would be ₦1,279,500, using the listed school fee of ₦1,132,500 and the same additional charges.

These calculations assume that all four listed charges are payable separately and in full. Students should confirm the applicable amounts and payment requirements with the university before making payments.

Residency Status Creates a Significant Price Difference

Another finding is the financial difference between students classified as residents and non-residents.

For Medicine and Surgery, the difference is ₦150,000. The same difference applies to Law, Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science, where non-residents are charged ₦150,000 more than residents.

In Pharmacy, the difference is ₦100,000. In Engineering, it is ₦97,000 based on the figures supplied.

The differential means that students studying the same programme may face different financial obligations depending on their classification. For families already struggling to finance higher education, the additional amount could influence the affordability of admission.

However, the published schedule alone does not establish the criteria the university uses to determine residency status. The institution’s official guidelines would be needed to clarify the eligibility requirements and any documentation students must provide.

What the Figures Mean for Access to Higher Education

The fee schedule raises broader questions about access, equity and the sustainability of university education for families with limited financial resources.

For students from low-income households, the challenge is not simply obtaining admission but also meeting the recurring costs associated with remaining in school. Tuition and institutional charges compete with essential expenses, including accommodation, feeding, transportation, internet access and academic materials.

The figures also highlight the importance of examining student-support arrangements, including scholarships, bursaries, instalment-payment options and other forms of financial assistance. Where such provisions exist, clear information about eligibility and application procedures can help students make informed decisions before accepting admission.

Nevertheless, the available fee schedule does not establish how many students may be unable to pay, whether the university offers financial support to those in need or how the charges compare with the household incomes of affected families. Those questions require additional evidence from the university, government records and student experiences.

Questions EKSU Needs to Address

The published figures make transparency particularly important. Prospective students and their parents need clear information about the complete cost of registration, the payment deadlines, the distinction between compulsory and optional charges, and whether any additional departmental or professional fees apply.

The university’s position on instalment payments, scholarships, indigene bursaries and financial assistance for students from disadvantaged backgrounds would also help families understand the support available to them.

The Nigeria Education News could not independently establish from the available material whether the circulated schedule represents the university’s complete and final approved fee structure. The figures should therefore be verified against an official university-issued schedule or confirmation from EKSU management before being treated as definitive.

The Central Finding

The figures supplied for EKSU’s 2026/2027 admission fees show a substantial range of financial obligations, from ₦247,500 for some resident Education students to ₦1,132,500 for non-resident Medicine and Surgery students, before separately listed charges.

When acceptance fees, faculty dues and Smart School charges are added, the initial amount required for some programmes exceeds ₦1 million. That makes the affordability of public university education an issue deserving closer scrutiny, especially for families who must finance admission from limited household earnings.

The central question is no longer simply how much a student must pay to secure admission, but how families can sustain the full cost of university education until graduation.

For prospective students and their parents, the immediate priority is to verify the official fee schedule, calculate all compulsory charges and establish what financial assistance may be available before committing to admission.

The Nigeria Education News will continue to examine university fee policies, student welfare and the financial barriers that may affect access to higher education across Nigeria.